painting as a reflective method in teaching medical professional values

Teaching medical ethics is an effort to deliver the dominant values in the relationship between physicians and their patients, colleagues, and eventually the whole society. Furthermore, medical ethics education requires appropriate methods in addressing these topics for pre-clinical and postclinical courses. One study showed that the final purpose of medical ethics education is to train medical students and physicians who have acquired the fundamental skills in professionalism, such as responsiveness, altruism, excellence, integrity, respect, and justice (1). In another study, the authors defined the principles of professional commitment, stating that the main purpose is to internalize the meaning of professional commitment and behaviors among medical students and physicians (2). Another author believed that the internalization of ethical concepts can assist doctors in dealing with tough situations and emergencies, since in these circumstances ethical sensitivity and personal feelings substitute ethical reasoning (3). Education plays a vital role in changing these non-cognitive components, which can be presented semi-directly or indirectly in group discussions, or through introducing ethical issues in stories or role modeling. In fact, students should deeply understand the concepts and behavioral values in medical practice and observe the principles of professional conduct through a highly practice-based approach, and not just completely depend upon lectures or theoretical knowledge.